Driving with a DIVA - Citilog

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the other, and both will be running at
the same time with redundant hardware
materials. Two parallel sets of Citilog’s
analysers will simultaneously process the
images from the cameras, and report every
anomaly at a stunning speed of less than
10 secs once the incident has occurred.
All Citilog’s analysers will be
monitored by two redundant Citilog’s
communication servers, one instantly
replacing the other should the first one
fail, in order to transfer the alarms to
the control centre rooms. The safety and
control office is then alerted and receives
the near-live images of any traffic
anomaly detected (stationary vehicle,
slow traffic, etc). A pre- and postincident
digital video clip is immediately
available to quickly assess the situation.
This notification system enables the
control staff to visually identify the type
of intervention required. Saving valuable
response time. Saving lives.
Other great innovations proposed
with DIVA lie in the implementation
of specially designed algorithms by Citilog.
A major improvement is related to an
unprecedented association of different
algorithms for different purposes. A selflearning
one, extracted from the Citilog’s
VisioPaD system, allows incident
detection over the entire image (instead of
limited zones) without any configuration.
Unlike traditional video incident detection
systems, this is a real plug-and-detect
solution that completely takes away any
time-consuming and complex system
configuration (masking, calibrating,
set-up, etc). Another algorithm will
disregard irrelevant objects in the
field of view as disturbing noise that
Cutaway diagram of the two-deck tunnel
could potentially lead to false alarms. A
third one, used in Citilog’s MediaTunnel,
will help differentiate the shapes and
sizes of moving objects in the picture.
Long term implications
Citilog and Cofiroute have developed
a very close working relationship
in designing DIVA as a dedicated
video-based incident detection system
for the A86 tunnel. This project-specific
traffic management tool will clearly
contribute to constantly monitoring
and evaluating the system performance.
Not only must Citilog deliver a perfect
DIVA system, but DIVA itself has to perform
efficiently in the long run. As detection
regression is not an option,
it is highly important to ensure a
sustained and beyond-expectation
performance over time. Video
simulations initiated due to a database
o f s h o r t video sequences
MediaTunnel enhances tunnel safety and security (All images Photothèque Cofiroute)
or permanent recordings from DIVA will
help to set performance goals and establish
benchmarking tests. Quarterly
project reviews between Cofiroute
and Citilog are the key to successfully
and consistently improving the
algorithms, and therefore providing
an always safer and more secure
tunnel environment.
Building expertise
Such a colossal video incident
detection system could not have been
technologically possible without Citilog’s
past successes with similar high safety
Unlike traditional video incident detection
systems, this is a real plug-and-detect
solution that takes away any timeconsuming,
complex system configuration
expectations. The Fuxing tunnel
in Shanghaï or the four Manhattan
tunnels in New York insisted on the
same top security standards as used in
the A86, for road users in high-density
urban tunnels with low ceiling clearance.
Other field of expertise for such
systems can be found in the Melbourne
City Link (Australia), Sao Paulo (Brazil),
Santiago (Chile), Liège (Belgium), over
40 tunnels in Spain and in the crossborder
Mont Blanc tunnel where Citilog’s
algorithms now provide a
safer route between Italy and France.
Conclusion
The A86 tunnel is an exceptional
underground structure that stands out
by its size, design and technology
specially developed to make it safe
and secure. This state-of-the-art road
infrastructure sets new top security
standards for all the future tunnels
operators keen on handling a reliable
and efficient video incident detection
solution such as DIVA. ■
DIVA (Détection Instantanée des
Véhicules Arrêtés/Instant Detection of
Stopped Vehicles) concept and design by
Cofiroute. The A86 highway is managed
by Cofiroute. www.cofiroute.fr
www.a86ouest.com
DIVA development by Citilog
36 Traffic Technology International Aug/Sept 2005